India ended their 13-year wait for an ICC Cricket World Cup trophy when they beat South Africa by seven runs to lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in a thrilling final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
South Africa were left heartbroken after coming close to winning their maiden world title but were eventually unable to get over the line against a strong Indian bowling lineup in a match that swayed from end to end on Saturday.
Chasing 177 to win, the Proteas seemed in control when they needed 71 runs off 45 balls with six wickets in hand and the pair of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen leading their chase.
India, however, had not given up on their chance of winning their second T20 World Cup.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya stepped up to remove Klaasen in his first over and followed it up with the crucial wicket of David Miller, courtesy of a stunning catch on the long off boundary by Suryakumar Yadav.
Bumrah, too, lived up to his reputation of answering his captain’s call and breaking partnerships at the most crucial moments in the match.
While Pandya may have removed the dangerous Klaasen, it was Bumrah’s in-swinging delivery to bowl out Marco Jansen that opened the gates for India.
My last T20 World Cup, so wanted to make the most of it’
Kohli, who was named player of the match for his rescue act with the bat, confirmed his T20 international retirement after the match.
“This is my last T20 World Cup, and this is exactly what I wanted to achieve,” he said after accepting the award.
The former India captain, who won the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2011, said was “grateful to get the job done for the team on the day it mattered the most.”
“It was now or never. This is my last T20 game for India, so I wanted to make the most of it. It is time for the next generation to take over. They will take the team forward in this format.”
Kohli admitted that the 13-year wait for a world title had been a long one for a team that reached several semifinals and finals.
“It’s been a long wait and not just [for] me alone. You can look at Rohit who has played nine T20 World Cups, and this is my sixth. He deserves it as much as anyone in the squad.
“It is hard to explain the emotions I felt after the game.”
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from T20Is following India’s seven-run victory against South Africa in the final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. Kohli announced it after he was awarded the Player of the Match for his 59-ball 76 in his last T20I which helped India lift its second World T20 title while Rohit Sharma confirmed his decision in the press conference afterwards.
